Trump 'serious' about blocking Washington Commanders relocation to DC, White House says
'The president was serious,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters July 21 when asked about Trump's new warning to block a proposed stadium deal that would return the Commanders to Washington if the team doesn't adopt its former name, Redskins.
Washington retired the name Redskins in July 2020 amid nationwide protests over race, initially becoming the Washington Football Team for two seasons, and then rebranding as the Washington Commanders in 2022. Longtime owner Daniel Snyder in 2023 sold the team to a new ownership group led by billionaire investor Josh Harris, who has elected to keep Commanders as the name and has called the debate settled.
Leavitt did not address how Trump has the power to restrict the team's planned relocation back to the site of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in D.C., which served as Washington's home stadium from 1961 to 1996, before the team's move to Landover, Maryland.
Trump's ability to unilaterally scrap the team's deal for a new stadium to return to the RFK site appears doubtful after Congress passed a law in December that transferred ownership of the RFK stadium site from the National Park Service to the District of Columbia. The $3.7 billion stadium deal, which includes $1.1 billion in local taxpayer funds, is in the hands of the D.C. Council, which is nearing a vote on the project.
However, Trump has shown a willingness in other political battles to threaten federal funding from states, cities, colleges and universities to get his way. Another route could be to lobby Republicans in Congress to rescind the land transfer bill they passed last year.
More: Trump threatens Washington Commanders' stadium plans if franchise doesn't change name
White House doubles down on Trump's threat
Leavitt pointed to Trump's reputation as a dealmaker. 'As part of the 'art of the deal,' part of his negotiating skills, as you know, sports is one of the many passions of this president and he wants to see this team's name changed,' she said.
When asked to explain Trump's authority to block the Commanders' stadium deal, a White House official directed USA TODAY to Leavitt's remarks.
More: DC locals on Trump's attempt to force Commanders' name change: Stay in your 'own lane'
The Commanders, which enjoyed its most successful season in decades after making it to the NFC Championship Game last year, have not commented since Trump brought up the team's name in a Truth Social post on Sunday. In the same post, Trump called on another professional sports team that was previously named for native Americans ‒ the Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Indians ‒ to go back to its old name.
"The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this," Trump wrote. "Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!"
Trump had previously voiced support for the team's former name, but it marked the first time he has used his position to call for a name change. He followed it up with a subsequent post suggesting he might hold up the team's stadium plans if it doesn't ditch Commanders and go back to its former name.
"I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,'" Trump wrote. "I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington. The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone."
DC mayor focuses on council, not Trump
Under the Constitution, Congress has authority over the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia Home Rule Act, signed by President Richard Nixon in 1973, gave the city local governance including an elected mayor and city council. However, Congress can still review all legislation passed by the D.C. Council and retains authority over the district's budget.
No sign off from Trump is required for approval of the Commanders' stadium deal.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who helped orchestrate the stadium deal, deflected when a reporter asked her Monday whether she believes Trump has the power to block the Commanders' stadium deal.
"I think the thing that we should focus on in D.C. is doing our part," Bowser said, adding that the council still needs to approve the stadium deal. "We need to complete our part."
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has often talked about taking over the governance of D.C., a city he has long derided for crime and homelessness. Nevertheless, Trump hosted Bowser and the Commanders' Harris at the White House in May to announce Washington's National Mall would host the 2027 NFL Draft.
'I think you've seen the president gets involved in a lot of things that most presidents have not," Leavitt said when asked why changing the Commanders' name is a priority for Trump. "He's a nontraditional president. He likes to see results on behalf of the American people.'
She added that Trump is getting behind something most Americans want.
"If you actually poll this issue with sports fans across the country and even in this city, people actually do support the president's position on this and the name change," Leavitt said.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
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